Officials with the Lake County Fielders say they are optimistic that construction of their new $17 million ballpark will be completed in time for the minor-league baseball team’s June 11 home opener.

But who exactly will pay for the 8,000-capacity facility that is being built on the corner of Green Bay Road and Ninth Street in Zion, Ill.?

In an e-mail Friday to the Kenosha News, Zion director of economic development J. Delaine Rogers offered this explanation:

“Regarding financing, the stadium has always been proposed as a public/private venture. The land and facility will be owned by the City of Zion, who will in turn lease the stadium to (Grand Slam Sports and Entertainment) through an operating agreement.

“Grand Slam will own the Fielders team and be responsible for promotions, hiring, scheduling and maintenance of the property. The partnership will generate annual rental income to the City along with sales and entertainment taxes, parking revenues and a potential real estate tax component.

“The design also includes a year-round banquet facility, restaurant and permanent concert venue; all key components in the financial viability of the project.”

The yet-to-be-named ballpark, which will have 4,000 seats, will be located in Trumpet Business Park, which already is a regional hub for FedEx distribution services. The city of Zion is working to obtain federal stimulus funds to “improve and expand infrastructure within the park,” according to Rogers, which in turn Zion leaders hope will create more jobs.

Rich Ehrenreich is the Fielders managing partner/president, and actor Kevin Costner is one of the team’s owners.

Ehrenreich said in an interview with the Kenosha News at the team’s ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday that he expects the ballpark to be ready by the scheduled home opener.

“I can only tell you being in meetings with the contractors and the developer, everybody feels good about the timeline,” Ehrenreich said.

In an article posted on the Lake County News-Sun Web site Friday, Zion mayor Lane Harrison said the new ballpark is “in a metamorphosis state right now. How much the city of Zion is going to actually own is a fluid situation depending on outside financing, which is always changing.

“But no Zion taxpayers’ dollars are going to be used to build it.”

Rogers also told the Daily Herald in a story posted on its Web site Friday that additional ballpark financing will come from Illinois state government and private investors paying for naming rights.

The Fielders will play a 48-game home schedule in a ballpark with amenities including suites, a hot tub, concert stage, picnic area and party decks.

Compiled by Jeremy Reeves